10 Best Male Gospel Singers

The ten best male gospel singers are a variety of ages and come from every region of the United States.

James Cleveland, singing with his Angelic Choir. The Reverend Dr. Cleveland makes the list of the ten best male gospel singers for his life of gospel music that began with his birth in 1931 and ended with his death in 1991. A singer in his own right, Dr. Cleveland recorded with gospel choirs including the Caravans, Gospelaires, Southern California Community Choir, Charles Fold Singers and the Angelic Choir.

Roebuck "Pops" Staples. Part of the family group of singers that included Pervis, Cleotha, Yvonne and Mavis. "Pops" died in 2000. Known for the tunes "Let's Do It Again" and "I'll Take You There."

Donnie McClurkin. Pastor and gospel singer Donnie McClurkin makes the ten best male gospel singers list with a shelf of awards, including Grammy and Steller awards, BET and Soul Train recognition, as well as a Dove award and an NAACP Image Award.

Ben Harper. Born as Benjamin Chase Harper, Ben brings home gospel as well as reggae, rock, blues and folk tunes. He took home a Grammy Award for "Best Traditional Soul Gospel Album" in 2004 for his release "There Will Be a Light" recorded with the Blind Boys of Alabama.

James Blackwood, Inducted into the Gospel Music Hall of Fame in 1974 and winner of a handful of Dove Awards for gospel singing.

Tramaine Hawkins. Grammy Award winner and the recipient of several Dove Awards. Tramaine Hawkins first recorded with the gospel group The Heavenly Tones in 1966. His first solo album was released in 1979. Crossover tunes include the single "Do Not Pass Me By" recorded with M.C. Hammer in 1992.

Bill Gaither. The Gaither Family is a well-known gospel group and Bill is the leader of the singing family. Bill released his first song in 1956 and over the decades has taken operated a music publishing company, record label and sponsored a group of gospel and Christian-based musicians from the corporate headquarters in Indiana.

Edward Hawkins. The late Edward Hawkins died in 2010 after a long career that included a Grammy Award in the 1980s. He was part of a singing family that included his brother Edwin and also soloists work with the Love Center Choir. The last singing Edward Hawkins recorded was with rock and jazz performer Van Morrison.

Lyle Stubbs. Awarded the honor of top male gospel singer in 2000. Known for such winning compositions as "You Saved My Soul From a Burning Hell" and "Jesus Asked Me Out to Play," his songs have also appeared on Circuit Rider Record gospel compilation disks.

Al Green. Starting out as a pop artist, Green moved into gospel after his popular recording contracts faded. Green was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1995, but his main focus has been gospel since the age of nine when he sang with his three brothers. He became an ordained minister in 1976, and received eight Grammy Awards for "Soul Gospel Performance" from 1981 through 1989, in addition to serving as a full-time minister during that time.